Water level in dams and reservoirs falls for the tenth consecutive week

10-Jan-2025 10:49 AM

The water level in major dams and reservoirs across India has been falling for the tenth consecutive week, as reported by the Central Water Commission.

This decline in water levels is due to little to no rainfall in 90% of districts during the first nine days of January 2025.

While 71% of the total storage capacity of 155 major reservoirs remains, this is still higher than the same period last year and the ten-year average.

However, concerns are rising, particularly in Punjab, where only 20% of the water stock remains in its sole reservoir, which could impact irrigation needs for Rabi crops like wheat. 

Additionally, weather data indicates that 89% of the 719 districts in the country have received no rainfall, with another 7% getting negligible amounts.

Only 1% of districts saw rainfall that exceeded normal levels. In the northern region, 11 reservoirs have only 42% of their total storage capacity remaining, with Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan seeing varying water levels of 35% and 71%, respectively.